Sending Love and Positive Intentions to my Whole Community.
Dear friends,
I hope you and your loved ones are all safe and well, and managing to navigate this period of uncertainty together.
For some time now at Homes One, our core intention has been the same: ‘to guide our clients through unfamiliar territory’.
And as much as this is true for the London property market, it also reflects the changing times we live in, which as you know are unprecedented.
The status quo is being broken apart, and while we wait to see what emerges, I thought I’d dedicate this newsletter to how I intend to find my way through the lockdown.
A wise man once told me that the best thing to do in a downturn, recession or plateau was to take lots of time to reflect and slow down.
He made the analogy of putting your phone on energy-saving mode, in preparation for busier times ahead.
So how to plan for time off, in the age of Coronavirus?
I am reminded of the importance of connecting with other people, valuing the community and living life one day at a time.
Here’s my three-point plan:
1. Exercise and physical wellbeing
Najwa, Ramsey and I have been starting the day with an indoor family workout session from YouTube. We then have a one-hour exercise session in the afternoon outdoors. We’ve also been taking family bike rides and I bought a Brompton bicycle, gamely convincing myself I will cycle in to the office – when/if things return to normal! As Seratonin, endorphins and dopamine are all released from good exercise I am committing to session every day, with family when possible.
2. Self-care is essential
In times of uncertainty, managing our anxiety and emotions is key. For myself, I am noticing how the pendulum seems to swing between big-picture clarity and inspiration, and fears and concerns around self-preservation. What helps most with these things is to share them, either with friends or loved ones (Zoom is having a heyday!), or by connecting with professional help in the form of coaching or therapy. Meditation is part of my routine, and helps to quieten my reactive mind, and tune into an open and responsive state. Please, take care of your mental health and give it a try.
3. Take up something new (or pick something up again)
As a Liverpool supporter who often goes to games, it’s amazing how much time I have now that football is cancelled! Let us all pray that the premiership recommences without having to observe on-field social distancing, like Ramsey and I do! As such I am venturing out into my annex and picking up my guitars. Before finding my career in the London property game, I used to play music and also chess and backgammon. I believe hobbies have been a casualty of the industrial complex, so I’m committing to learning five new songs in the lockdown, taking up chess again online, and to learning how to record music from home.
Zoom support:
I expect to do a lot more work on Zoom in the months to come. Since we all have more time indoors and time to reflect this is a perfect time to connect and discuss future plans when this is over.
Please do feel free to contact me for a zoom call, phone call or email focusing on the following;
- Valuations
- Purchasing strategies
- Market summaries
- Negotiation support
- Guidance with your search
My wife Najwa who leads Homes One Interiors, is also working with clients virtually, on virtual makeovers and mood boards, as they plan for future projects. Again this could be a time to start planning.
We are essentially open for business – just not at the office.
Which could be the shape of things to come!
Express property summary:
1. Everything is on pause so be patient.
2. There will be a tipping point (opportunities will be abundant).
3. With interest rates low it is a great time to borrow.
Perfect for the lockdown:
Online yoga with Adrienne:
Learn to meditate with Headspace:
Some good news stories
Mandarin Oriental penthouse in Mayfair fetches record-breaking £8k psf
£25m+ deal at One Kensington Gardens defies global uncertainty
(‘What crisis?’ The UHNWI’s shrugged!)
From Savills:
"Most economic forecasters predict the UK is facing a short, sharp shock that will affect all aspects of the market over the coming months, with transaction volumes rather than values bearing the brunt of the shock. But as this note sets out, assuming Government measures can limit any long term damage to the economy, the market has the potential to recover relatively quickly once restrictions on doing business are lifted."
For those with young children like us who are trying to juggle home and parenting:
• Audible have opened up their libraries
• Ted-Ed@Home have launched fee video based lessons on a daily basis
• BBC Bitesize
• Duolingo for languages
• The Khan Academy which is a US based non profit
• Kurzgesagt
For those with older children who have exams they are preparing for we wish you the very best that online and remote teaching can offer and much patience.
Spring clean:
Lastly, I am always conscious of good housekeeping, but often I long for more time.
Now there is no excuse not to update my website, upgrade my management accounts, and de-clutter and deep clean my home office.
Whenever I polish things over here… something shines over there.
Good luck!
Stay safe and connected.
If there is anything we can help with let me know.
Warmly,
Karim Bazzi / Director